Thousands of lights have been installed at a family home to bathe a neighbourhood in Christmas spirit – and raise cash for the Dougie Mac.

Every year, Brian Morey covers his home and garden at Chestnut Grove, Chesterton with all manner of decorations and lights in time for Christmas.

His entire collection was stolen five years ago. But since then, the Christmas-loving father-of-four has invested his cash in replacing all the lost decorations and improving his collection.

This year, Brian, his family and friends are using the lights to raise cash for the Blurton hospice. It's out of gratitude for the care the Dougie Mac gave to Derek Hill, the father of Brian's partner, Rebecca Hill.

Brian Morey switches on the lights with the help of N.S Stormtroopers and the big man himself, Santa

Thirty-four-year-old Brian said: “They are brilliant. We’ve seen the work that they do and the costs that are involved – they don’t get any money from the Government. They are only able to keep going through fundraising.

“But it’s not just about the fundraising. We live in a world where everything is commercial and I feel we have lost a bit of Christmas spirit. This really gets the community involved.

"I can’t thank them enough. So many people have helped out with the fundraising and put in a lot of time and effort. Even before the lights were switched on, we had people stopping and looking and asking us about them when we were putting them up.

“There are a lot more this year than we’ve had in the past. We have got the front garden covered in Christmas trees. Those trees alone have got something like 3,000 lights on them.

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“We have got large baubles, Santa and his reindeer, a motorised Santa on a seesaw.

“We have got an 8ft Christmas tree, with an angel on the top. That is a memory tree. We want people to come along and put up Christmas balls in memory of a loved one they have lost. We have put up a picture of Derek and a bauble for him.

“There is a donation box which people can put money into, even if it is just a few pence, it will all go to Dougie Mac.”

The illuminations will also be helping to raise money for the Dougie Mac

The lights were officially switched on at the weekend, when Santa made a guest appearance, along with the N.S. Stormtroopers, when there were raffles and other fund-raising activities.

Even before the lights had been turned on, more than £200 had been donated and Arnold Clark – where Brian works – have promised to match-fund the total amount raised, up to £1,000.

Brian added: “Arnold Clark have been brilliant. But so many people have helped out. I’d especially like to thank my dad, Michael.”

Rebecca, aged 33, said: “Brian is crazy about the lights and Christmas. For a birthday present, he always wants lights.

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“But the work Dougie Mac do is brilliant. They did so much for my dad. He would be so proud to know we are raising money for them.”

Thirteen-year-old daughter Briony said her brother and sisters – eight-year-old Lydia, Lucas, aged 10, and Lacey, aged 11 – all enjoy the Christmas spirit at home. She added: “It’s good. The lights are better than last year.”

Family friend and volunteer helper Kelly Owen, aged 34, from Chesterton, said: “The lights look fantastic, and raising money for Dougie Mac is a great idea.